Sheela and Rajeev Lunkad fell in love with this 80-year-old colonial bungalow a decade ago.

It took them more than six years to restore the property, which had been abandoned.

"We wanted to create a space with minimal impact on nature and to initiate and encourage interaction with the local community, from sharing a home-cooked meal with the villagers to learning about their culture and life," says Sheela.

Guests hike forest trails and eat locally sourced food.

There are four cozy guest rooms -- all offering sweeping views of the mountains -and a separate cottage that's perfect for a family with kids. Glenburn Tea Estate A stay in a colonial planter's bungalow is a memorable way to experience the rich tea heritage of Darjeeling.

Established by a Scottish company in 1859, Glenburn Tea Estate is now owned by the Prakash family, who've been in the tea business for over a century.

Accommodation is spread across two bungalows surrounded by 1,000 acres of private forest.

Two rivers run through the property.

Eight rooms are decorated with colonial furniture, open fireplaces, luxurious bathtubs and large windows offering views of Kanchenjunga mountain.

"To restore the bungalows to their original grandeur, we had to peel off layers of paint added by each manager's wife according to her liking and taste," says owner Husna Tara Prakash.

Panyali Trail – Jilling Terraces' Panyali Trail is a five-hour, 6.5-kilometer hike leading to Panyali village. We're not sure if that estimate takes into account all the stopping to take in these views. (CNN photo)

Ananda in the Himalayas – Ananda in the Himalayas is a luxury spa resort spread across a 100-acre estate at the foothills of the Himalayas in India's Uttarakhand state. (CNN photo)